Mike Seitz: Husband, Father, and Viticulturalist

Mike Seitz, a talented and experienced viticulturalist, began his wine journey in New Jersey. He was lured from the east by the idea of buying his own Napa Valley vineyard and farming his own grapes. Before his dream was realized, Seitz worked as a viticulturalist for several Napa Valley vineyards, taking care of some of the most lucrative harvests the valley had seen. In 2000, Seitz founded his own winery, Brookdale Vineyards, and his dream was realized. Tragically, Mike Seitz died during the 2003 harvest in a farming accident, leaving his wife Kristi Seitz sole proprietor of the wine estate. Despite his passing, his passion and drive for wine lives on in his wife and young son, Charlie.

Mike Seitz was known for putting his heart and soul into his wine. His vineyard was his life; he strove to be the best winemaker he could be, and he died doing what he loved. Seitz worked extremely hard at his wine business, and before his death, he achieved his goal of creating vintages that were beautifully simplistic and harmonious with nature.

Mike Seitz' winemaking philosophy was simple and incredibly important to the success of his wine. He believed that keeping production size low was key to producing exceptional vintages. Production size was as important to him as his vineyard’s soil, which he always maintained with sustainable agriculture methods. His vineyards were also consistently well-balanced.

Seitz' winery was given its start by the assistance of some of the finest Napa Valley vineyards, which sold him small blocks of their exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. With the help of his close friend and winemaker, Craig MacLean, Seitz was able to create a delicious limited production wine that was a reflection of his dedication to his winery.

Mike Seitz had a simple ambition: to allow the vineyard to express itself through the bottle. His passion and dedication to wine is the major reason Brookdale Vineyards' varietals are so distinctive in their representation of terroir. When he died, he left a hole where an exceptional vintner should be. In honor of her husband, Kristi Seitz dedicates every bottle of Brookdale Cabernet Sauvignon to Mike Seitz’ memory.